Richard L. Simpson, the historian at Moravian Cemetery, has found another way to promote local history -- through television.

Simpson, a native Islander and longtime Dongan Hills resident, hosts "Staten Island 360" tonight at 7 on Staten Island Community Television channel 35. The hour-long program features the new book "Tottenville: The Town the Oyster Built." Author and historian Barnett Shepherd and graphic arts designer Channell Graham will be guests on the show.

Other guests include actor Joseph Smith who portrays prominent Islanders of the past, and arts and antiques collector George Way who writes the "Antiques" column for the Advance. According to Simpson, the show features everything from local history to current events and includes humor to make learning about history more fun.

Simpson has established himself as a promoter of local history by founding the Walking Tours of Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp, and has provided Islanders with a number of other educational programs. His motto, he says, is "people can come in, sit down and learn about local history."

He also calls himself a combination of Stephen Colbert, James Lipton, Chris Matthews and Anderson Cooper, who hosts "Anderson Cooper 360" -- which helped inspire the local show's name.

Tonight's show is a preview and Simpson hopes to continue it in the Fall through donations and funding.